The Little Feather Center is very sad to announce the death of some of our family members - 1999 and 2000.

Rita and Jeff were not only family they were friends. Jeff was the son of Chuck's brother, Little Feather, (also Jeff Derby) and so it is a doubly cruel blow to lose both father and son in such tragic circumstances within 12 years.

The younger Derby's died when their car went out of control on slippery roads on January 18th, The car overturned a number of times killing them both instantly. They leave behind a family of small children, the youngest, Jeffery Jr. only a few months old. Both sets of Grandparents are now taking care of the children.

Rita with Jeffery Jr.       &       Jeff with Sharee

Rita Ann Derby was 27 years old, the wonderful mother of Larrisa, Athena, Sharee and Jeffery Jr.. Rita was hoping to get a teen center started at the Lower Sioux Community, and had been actively searching for funding for it prior to her death.

Jeffery Ray Derby was 34 years old, and the father to Sharee and Jeffery Jr. and step father to Larrisa and Athena. Jeff was an artist. He followed his Native American culture and was a Sundancer.

Rita and Jeff were joined in marriage In Elk Point, SD, on March 4th 1999. They were buried side by side at the Lower Sioux Reservation on January 20th, 2000.

Recently the couple and their youngest children visited us at the Center and we took some photographs of them, which we are grateful for. We are showing one of the photos below.

We wonder 'Why?' as we grieve for these two precious souls.

An Update 2005:

A number of people have asked us how Jeff and Rita's babies are doing now, well we are pleased to report that they live with Jeff's mother and step father at Santee Nebraska, and they are growing into fun loving, regular kids. They are happy within the extended family and often attend powwows with the family.  

As well as losing these two young people we also lost the elder male of our family and tribal community just before Christmas 1999.

1920 - 1999

Harrison Artemus Crow was Chuck's uncle on his mother's side of the family. Born to Moses and Estella (Pearsall) Crow in Granite Falls, MN, 24th February, 1920. He moved to Pipestone with his parents in 1927.

Very active for his 79 years, he would take his riding lawn mower out and cut the grass for friends and family, he also babysat for the younger members of the family, and continued to make pipes in his workshop at the side of his house. Harrison was a member of the Michael Boock American Legion Post #6.

Harrison passed away on November 23rd 1999, from a heart attack in the midst of his family and friends at a social occasion. He will be sadly missed by us all..